Should Public schools switch to uniforms?

DieVixen

They will still tease them for their clothes.The schools in my district are now all uniform,so now the kids tease the kids whos parents buy their khaki pants at wal mart instead of aeropostale or abercrombie. The reasoning they give for uniforms here since gangs are not really an issue is that they dont want kids to feel bad if they cant afford designer clothes.Well the kids are still being made to feel bad. And thats part of the problem,kids need to learn that sometimes some people will have more than them and thats just a part of life. I hate the uniforms.

veganbaum

Why do people assume uniforms = prep school uniforms? A lot of the comments don't apply to the standardized dress code that many public schools today require (in the U.S.).

That's because all I've ever heard of are prep school uniforms. I'm not very well educated on uniforms/standardized dress codes, though... Just commenting on what I know. My school has no "dress code", I guess. Or if we do, it's very lax. The only thing we're not allowed to have are alcohol/drug/sex references. Anything else goes.

Many of the public school "uniforms" are very basic and not "uniforms," it's a standardized dress code - not pleated skirts, ties, jackets, etc. It's generally a basic pair of pants/shorts that are navy, khaki, or black, and a polo shirt of a certain required color. The variety of color choices vary by school. Girls are often allowed to choose to wear pants or skirts.

I think such a "uniform" should be required. If it was the typical prep-school uniform I would object, because that would put a financial strain on parents that I think would be unfair if they're attending public school.

emilymeanssuccess

Coming from a high school girl, I say yes, we should have uniforms. I hate the way some people dress so revealing, and some people get picked on a lot. It's really immature.

Kooraloo

Why do people assume uniforms = prep school uniforms? A lot of the comments don't apply to the standardized dress code that many public schools today require (in the U.S.).

That's because all I've ever heard of are prep school uniforms. I'm not very well educated on uniforms/standardized dress codes, though... Just commenting on what I know. My school has no "dress code", I guess. Or if we do, it's very lax. The only thing we're not allowed to have are alcohol/drug/sex references. Anything else goes.

Many of the public school "uniforms" are very basic and not "uniforms," it's a standardized dress code - not pleated skirts, ties, jackets, etc. It's generally a basic pair of pants/shorts that are navy, khaki, or black, and a polo shirt of a certain required color. The variety of color choices vary by school. Girls are often allowed to choose to wear pants or skirts.

I think such a "uniform" should be required. If it was the typical prep-school uniform I would object, because that would put a financial strain on parents that I think would be unfair if they're attending public school.

Ohh, okay. I didn't know that. I don't know, I still disagree. I think that kids will still bully the other kids for reasons like an above poster mentioned, like "Oh, you bought your clothes at Walmart, not Abercrombie?". But everyone has a right to their own opinion!

thepanttherlady

Yes. I wore a uniform from grades 1-8. I see no issue with it.

Just one issue... If you mandate uniforms then they should be subsidized for low income families similar to how school lunches are handled.

This!!

I disagree with those that say uniforms help the parent financially. How? Uniforms require me to add to the wardrobe my children already have. It's an added expense I can't always afford, and I usually get their clothes from Goodwill including their uniforms. It all adds up.

HorrorChix89

When I was in HS, we played Catholic High in football. Those kids were EVIL! They threw eggs at our bus, mooned us, chased the bus until security stopped them. Oh and they were in uniform. We had more respect and we were in normal clothes.

My point? Uniform won't solve the issues kids have

theoriginaljayne

I've been to a school that required a uniform, and I currently attend a school that does not.

Personally, I preferred the uniforms. I mean, they were terrible (I firmly believe that the pants were made of tarps and spray-painted black), but I quickly got used to them. Actually, when I first switched to my current school, it took me an insanely long time to get dressed in the morning: "Wait... I have to CHOOSE what color of shirt I'm going to wear today?!"

karylee44

that is intersting about all the teasing still in the school.. i guess we are lucky to have the charter.. i say all the kids at the school are a bit "quirky" and that is one of the things i really love about the school. the kids are still who they are.. there is one boy who wears eye liner, and most of the kids have dyed hair. At one of the recent dances.. one of the 7th grade boys came up to me to show me his dress. i don't think you can get any quirkier that that... all the kids are very respectful of one another and they do not pick on kids for being 'different" most of the kids ended up at this school because they were picked on at their previous school.

it is a very supportive environment.. i think at least 20 kids call me mom... and anytime i walk into the building.. i get hug after hug from the kids.. lovely bunch..

DieVixen

In my sons school kids are still being teased,especially the ones who have to wear the same polos and kahkies their parents bought at the begining of the year straight to the end no matter how faded an worn they get. They are still being singled out as having less money than some of the other kids. Maybe we need to teach our kids to be tougher,and not care so much what others think,insted of showing them that it matters so much everyone should look the same.

andreanicole686

I teach at a public school and every school in the county has a uniform policy.

Sunscreenandsweat

Ugh no I had to wear them and I hated it. Clothes are self expression there aren't really many schools that care about the arts so don't take away their clothes too..

HorrorChix89

I guess with uniforms you'll never be able to tell the difference between the jocks, goths, preps, hookers, nerds, drama fairies, band geeks, and cheerleaders.

Some labels are good people, you don't wanna sprinkle your ice cream with rat poison thinking it's powered sugar

jaymek92

i spent 13 years in public schools and i don't think i've ever heard anybody get picked on for their clothing choice.
unless they wore something that was against the dress code and had to wear something from the office's box of leftovers instead...

LinsenNRoses

Definitely not! I had to wear them in high school and it sucked! Clothes express who you are and your style. I don't want my kids to blend in and be like everyone else, they should WANT to stand out and be different!

LinsenNRoses

With everything going on in our public schools, this is the issue? It's not crap funding, reducing the arts and falling behind in math and science, but what kids are wearing? Leave the kids alone and let them dress how they want while they still can.

This!!!

gumigal82

I say yes, but allow one day a week to wear clothes of your choice (within dress code rules). I could never afford the expensive name brand/designer clothes. I did my best to buy knockoffs or sale items, but you always get made fun of for being "poor" (I wasn't even in a "poor" family--but my parents refused to spend their hard earned paychecks on $70jeans, sweaters...)

DieVixen

I say yes, but allow one day a week to wear clothes of your choice (within dress code rules). I could never afford the expensive name brand/designer clothes. I did my best to buy knockoffs or sale items, but you always get made fun of for being "poor" (I wasn't even in a "poor" family--but my parents refused to spend their hard earned paychecks on $70jeans, sweaters...)

I grew up poor myself,but atleast I got to be poor with my own style,and not have to be poor in bland clothes that STILL did not messure up to the designer uniforms the other kids were wearing.The kids are still being made fun of for being poor,uniforms have changed nothing with that.

weightloss_Dreamer

Most of the schools here have uniforms. Parents can get help with the cost of uniforms. My son wears uniforms ($5 khaki shorts and a $5 polo shirt from Walmart). I spend less now on clothes than I did before. Its so much easier and I don't have a child crying b/c so-and-so made fun of the "lame" pants he wore. Kids are different now from when we (I) grew up. They are cruel and will pick on other kids over the craziest things.

Its a shame that parents can go out and spends hundreds of dollars to trick out their car but refuse to buy their kid a box of crayons.. Or they will spend hundreds on a Tattoo that says "sexy B*tch" across their thigh but won't spend 10 bucks for their kid to get a new pair of shoes..

HorrorChix89

Most of the schools here have uniforms. Parents can get help with the cost of uniforms. My son wears uniforms ($5 khaki shorts and a $5 polo shirt from Walmart). I spend less now on clothes than I did before. Its so much easier and I don't have a child crying b/c so-and-so made fun of the "lame" pants he wore. Kids are different now from when we (I) grew up. They are cruel and will pick on other kids over the craziest things.

Its a shame that parents can go out and spends hundreds of dollars to trick out their car but refuse to buy their kid a box of crayons.. Or they will spend hundreds on a Tattoo that says "sexy B*tch" across their thigh but won't spend 10 bucks for their kid to get a new pair of shoes..

What kind of tattoo cost hundreds for 9 letters?

doorki

Kids are different now from when we (I) grew up. They are cruel and will pick on other kids over the craziest things.

Kids have always been cruel, its in their nature until we socialize it out of them. Taking away individuality will not do that.

nursevee

In Australia, most schools (including public) are uniform based. The exception to this is alternative schools and/or some private schools. I wore a uniform everyday of my life (and a school specific one too, not generic) and even though my parents struggled financially, it was great because unlike so many, we didn't have the money for name-brand, expensive clothes. My children went to public school over there and they wore generic blue/gold combination which was easily obtained at the wal-mart equivilent.

Nevermind that children look smarter in uniforms or that it's easier to regulate a dress code, it IS more cost efficient to have uniforms because it means less "play clothes" are required. You think about them going to school five days a week )on average) and they don't need anywhere NEAR the quantity of casual clothes.

When I moved to the U.S I actively searched for uniform schools. We're still not super wealthy and I found some amazing deals in the thift stores on the generic polo tops and skirts/shorts. You can't tell me it's not affordable because I'll argue with you all day long. I have saved megabucks with the uniform option, my kids get a couple pants/skirts/shorts and some tops and I guarantee you I got them all for under $10 from the thrifty. Our school also offers a uniform swap for items in good condition.

I see kids (from other schools) all the time wearing booty shorts (summer) and flip flops and I wonder who allowed them out of the house nevermind what school finds that acceptable.

I'm extremely greatful for our uniform code and that my kids grow up being proud how they dress/look. It's definately not causing any hardship here.

DieVixen

Most of the schools here have uniforms. Parents can get help with the cost of uniforms. My son wears uniforms ($5 khaki shorts and a $5 polo shirt from Walmart). I spend less now on clothes than I did before. Its so much easier and I don't have a child crying b/c so-and-so made fun of the "lame" pants he wore. Kids are different now from when we (I) grew up. They are cruel and will pick on other kids over the craziest things.

Its a shame that parents can go out and spends hundreds of dollars to trick out their car but refuse to buy their kid a box of crayons.. Or they will spend hundreds on a Tattoo that says "sexy B*tch" across their thigh but won't spend 10 bucks for their kid to get a new pair of shoes..

Really at the highschool around here the kids are now being teased for wearing the 5 dollar wal mart pants...nothing has changed

debinewb1

As a public school teacher, I have mixed feelings about uniforms. I can see the advantage of taking the status and distractions away. I know in my elementary school classroom, I have an issue with "Droopy Drawers". If a kid can't get down to sit on the floor because his pants hang too low, I have a sweet supply of belts and suspenders that I offer to assist them with their problem. Most parents appreciate that they can blame me when their kid complains about how low their pants can go. I do think kids tease each other, but they can be very covert about it and different clothes is only one aspect of that cruel behavior. I do think that taking away the distractions of the clothes would be helpful. I live in Eugene, OR (Land of the 10,000 protests : >) ) so I think that the kids in school now would be grandparents before Eugene would be done haggling over uniforms. (That may be a wee bit of an exaggeration!)

Usakoneko

As someone who fought tooth and freaking nail (and won) when they tried to institute 'uniforms' at my high school, I vote a severe NO. I don't care if we're talking expensive prep school style uniforms, or the standardized clothing uniforms that my school tried to force on us (and which seems to be the major point of debate here), I can think of absolutely no reason why children should have to wear uniforms. Instead, I can think of a lot of reasons why they SHOULDN'T have to.

As so many people have mentioned already, uniforms are not going to cut down on teasing. Even if you're talking about prep school uniforms, where everyone is wearing the exact same shirt, there will be differences. How you wear the shirt, how old the shirt is, how the shirt fits you and how 'good' you look in the shirt, what kind of wear and tear does the shirt have. And if it's a standardized uniform, instead of prep style, where you bought the shirt, what shade of blue is the shirt, how that brand of the shirt style looks compared to this brand, etc, etc, etc. And that's just for the clothing itself. Never mind that the kids will find plenty of things BESIDES the clothing to pick on, if they can't adequately pick on the clothing.

What about having the buy the uniforms themselves? Even if you're talking about the simple standardized uniform, you're still going to be buying extra clothes. Kids aren't going to wear their school uniform all day, which means they have to have regular clothing to wear after school and out of school in addition to having to have their 'uniform' clothing. When I was in school, I did tons of things after school that I wouldn't have wanted to wear a 'uniform' to. Going over to hang with friends? Not going to wear a uniform. Going to church in the evening? No way. Going to dinner with family friends, yeah, no. Going home and lounging around? Forget it. Without a uniform, you can wear the same clothing to school that you wear to any of these functions, plus tons of other things. Why force parents to buy regular clothing for their children and then uniform clothing as well? And for those talking about how you don't have to buy more than a couple pairs of pants and shirts for the uniform, just go to Wally-world and re-wear? Check the above paragraph.

I also highly disagree with denying them the chance to express themselves through their clothing. Part of learning who you are is learning how to show who you are to the rest of the world. There are many ways of doing this, some more fantastic than others, and while choosing what you wear may not seem like the most amazing choice you've ever made, it IS an easy way to express yourself. It's simple, every day, this is who I am, hello world. It's a way to stand out, to be different from the mass of people around you, without having to really having to work at it. And it's something you're going to be doing for the rest of your life, no matter what. Even for the people who brought up the subject of wearing uniforms to work; not everyone has to. Not all jobs require a uniform, I know my current job doesn't, and several of my past jobs haven't. And you're not always going to be at your workplace in your uniform during your adult life. Depending on the type of job, and your schedule, you may not even spend a majority of your time at work.

And- I say this more as a joke, since it was one of the 'points' my student body made when we forced my high school not to implement uniforms- why should kids have to wear unified colors anyway? Staring at the same color all day, usually dark colors for most uniforms, can lead to depression. XD

EDIT: That said... I'm ALL for dress codes. Schools SHOULD have some type of regulation for what's allowed, for the sake of modest clothing, and the dress code should be enforced. But a DRESS CODE does not equal a uniform.

kurenaikumo

I don't like the idea of uniforms. I'm a life-long, self-professed art wierdo who's had every hair color and length (I've even shaved my head in the past) and wore stuff no one else was wearing at the time. All of my friends were "outcasts" as well, and I'm still friends with that same motley crue 20+ years later. I got rode in HS for being the way I was, but as an adult, a lot of those BS talkers from back in the day have reconnected on FB, apologized and said they actually respected someone who did their own thing. I got a good sense of self when I was younger, and I've always enjoyed being unique. How will these kids figure out who the hell they are when they're released into the world? How are they going to deal with criticism of any kind in the workplace from either bosses, co-workers or customers if they've been coddled for the past 18 years? Personally, I will never be a sheeple, and I'm proud to say, neither is my daughter, nor do I condone it by any stretch.

To thine own self be true. Words to live by...

baseballmom1031

My boys are in public school and I love it. Khakis and a red, blue, green or orange shirt. We are set for the week. Plus it keeps them from feeling like they don't have what others have. It is also nice because our school district does donations for those who don't have enough income so we donate all of our softly used uniforms to the school and it helps others as well. Kids are picked on enough for other reasons at least this way it eliminates one.

liog

Another vote for uniforms.

veganbaum

I don't like the idea of uniforms. I'm a life-long, self-professed art wierdo who's had every hair color and length (I've even shaved my head in the past) and wore stuff no one else was wearing at the time. All of my friends were "outcasts" as well, and I'm still friends with that same motley crue 20+ years later. I got rode in HS for being the way I was, but as an adult, a lot of those BS talkers from back in the day have reconnected on FB, apologized and said they actually respected someone who did their own thing. I got a good sense of self when I was younger, and I've always enjoyed being unique. How will these kids figure out who the hell they are when they're released into the world? How are they going to deal with criticism of any kind in the workplace from either bosses, co-workers or customers if they've been coddled for the past 18 years? Personally, I will never be a sheeple, and I'm proud to say, neither is my daughter, nor do I condone it by any stretch.

To thine own self be true. Words to live by...

I was one of those weirdos, too. I still think kids should have uniforms. While I enjoyed being able to wear whatever came into my head, and often still do, clothing is only one way to express myself and not even the most important way. I disagree that requiring a uniform dress code in school, as is required in the higher professions, is going to have that much impact on individualism. And if it does, then maybe that person wasn't as different as they thought they were in the first place. A person's individuality comes from their mind, there are many options as to how to express that and we may not be able to choose every option all the time, that doesn't lessen who we are.

DieVixen

My boys are in public school and I love it. Khakis and a red, blue, green or orange shirt. We are set for the week. Plus it keeps them from feeling like they don't have what others have. It is also nice because our school district does donations for those who don't have enough income so we donate all of our softly used uniforms to the school and it helps others as well. Kids are picked on enough for other reasons at least this way it eliminates one.

except it dosent elimanate it at all,which is evindance in every school in my district. Sooner or later your kids are going to have to learn that sometimes people have more. and like I said a million times before their is a BIG diffrence between 5 dollar wal mart pants and ones kids are getting from the designer stores,its still very evidant that some kids have more. we need to teach our kids that its ok that people have more not shield them from every negitive emotion in life,because we are quicly creating a entitled generation of adults that can not handle when life is "unfair"

kelsully

My children attend a public school with a uniform dress code. They are to have navy blue pants/skirts and white or light blue polo shirts. In junior high they wear khaki pants and white or light blue polos. They attended a Catholic School for a few years before transferring and the uniform there was a specific jumper and specific shirt etc. I can buy navy pants at Kmart, Target, or wherever I want. Same with the polo shirts. I have three girls and a boy. Uniforms makes laundry simple...I only buy the light blue polos and thus do a load of blues every other day. I never have to buy my youngest daughter uniforms as I have everything I need from the older girls. Outside of school though they have very different styles so there are seldom hand me downs. They don't mind. They have never known any different. I like it. It is easy. They are all still individuals, as evidenced by hair accessories, socks, book bags etc
I also teach, and have taught high school in a school with gangs and no uniform and now at a Catholic School with uniform. I am a teacher first and dress code enforcer second. I never worry about my kids who are in uniform but who forgot their belt but when I taught in other school I had to watch for colors and mismatched shoelaces and all sorts of other things because when I didn't the safety of my students was at risk...so uniforms it is ..